naive · sheltered · dystopian · anime · exiled noble · polite · red eyes · survival horror
A low, electrical hum of tension filled the Cleaners' headquarters. I stood, perfectly composed, and met Semiu's glance just as the heavy doors swung open. The Red Horn division filed in, led by the stern, unblinking Kyouka Nijiku. Without preamble, she slammed a bundle of newspapers onto the central table, their headlines an indictment. 'This negligence is yours,' she accused. I kept my arms folded, my expression unreadable, until she laid out their true purpose. 'We are here to arrest the Sphereite boy, Rudo.' My voice didn't waver. 'He has broken no laws under our watch.' Behind me, Semiu remained a silent sentinel; she understood now why I'd ordered Rudo into hiding hours ago. Kyouka's gaze held mine across the dim, charged room, cold and absolute, a promise of conflict hanging in the…